Fender Classic Series '50s Stratocaster

I got back into playing guitar. Last year I bought a Squier Bullet Strat for a ridiculously low amount of money and had fun playing it and modding it. For what it's worth, it was a pretty good guitar, I would say it was excellent straight out of the box with some setup changes. Unfortunately, over time, it seems like the neck warped considerably...anyways, it is a super cheap guitar. I can't complain. Decided to take a step up, and got a Made in Mexico, Classic Series '50s Stratocaster.

I'm going to do a lot of mods to this thing for fun, but I'm going to do it smarter this time, taking pictures all the way, and recording a couple of the same guitar parts every time I make a change, so I can hear and share the difference. For those of you who may wonder what you get if you buy this guitar, here are some pictures.

You'll notice I've still got the plastic on the single ply pickguard. Probably the whole loaded pickguard is going to go, so I'll just leave it.

 

I got a display model that was already set up at the store. Action set to 1mm on the high E at the 12th fret, set to about 1.25 on the low E at the 12th fret. There is just that slight little twang of fret buzz, consistent across all strings up the whole neck. Very Strat sounding, nothing unpleasant, however, I will raise the action a touch.

Tremolo decked. Will it return to pitch?

Notice the way they wind the string on the tuners at the factory. The high E was wound around the tuning post about 10 times.

As far as I know "P.W" means "Ping" tuners made in Asia. I'll be replacing these sooner or later.

 6mm shaft on the tuners

 And it looks like the bushing fits into a 8.5mm hole

Interesting that this model, purchased in 2015, made in Mexico, has vintage American tremolo mount and string spacing at 2 7/32" (5.64mm). Note the pickup poles are already rusting straight out of the box.

Also find it interesting to see that all the pickup poles in all positions are spaced at 52mm

The only flaw I can find in the whole guitar is that just below the 4th fret on the low E side of the neck, it seems that a little piece of the finish flaked away. I chose to buy a display model from a store, and saved about $100, so I can't blame Fender for this. The neck could have just taken a good hit at the store.

Specification as advertised at Fender

Model Name: Classic Series '50s Stratocaster®, Maple Fingerboard, Surf Green
Model Number: 0131002357
Series: Classic
Color: Surf Green

Body Shape: Stratocaster®
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Polyester

Neck Material: Maple
Neck Shape: Soft "V"
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Vintage-Style
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Vintage-Style
Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane
Fingerboard: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot

Bridge Pickup: Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Vintage-Style Single-Coil Strat
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Pickup Configuration: SSS

Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Orientation: Right-Hand
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Control Knobs: Aged White Plastic

Strings: Fender® USA 250R, NPS, (.010-.046 Gauges)
Unique Features: Aged Knobs and Switch Tip, Vintage Styling, Synthetic Bone Nut
Included Accessories: Deluxe Gig Bag

Here is what I can add from my inspection:
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with 2 7/32" mount and string spacing
Tuning Machines: Ping brand Asian made Kluson style vintage non-locking tuners with 6mm shaft and 8.5mm bushing